This time of year is glorious; buds are beginning to appear on trees, the odd crocus is starting to pop up from the ground, and the sun is beginning to show its face more. The days are longer, and everything is starting to feel a bit lighter after the darkness of the winter months.

It is also the time of year when we can start exploring again and venturing off the well-trodden track of our winter dog walks. But with new adventures can come new risks, and with that in mind, we announce that March is Poison Prevention Month.

Read on to identify some of the most common poisons you may encounter during this spring period.

Bulbs

Daffodils and hyacinths are among the most common. If ingested, they can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy, with some severe cases causing seizures.

Plants

Some spring plants can be toxic to our pets. Foxgloves, for example, contain naturally occurring poisons that can affect the heart. Ivy can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and sometimes blood in faeces or vomit. Bluebells are also toxic to dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort. If enough of the toxin has been ingested, it can also increase the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are more common in autumn, but the occasionally damp and dreary day can also be the perfect breeding ground for these fungi. The consequences of ingesting them can include vomiting and diarrhoea along with possible neurological symptoms.

Antihistamines

As the pollen count increases, humans may be taking more antihistamines themselves due to the time of year. If your dog were to eat them, it could lead to vomiting and lethargy, make them wobbly or even cause tremors.

Chocolate

Applicable to any time of the year, but particularly around holidays such as Easter, Chocolate is incredibly toxic to dogs. Theobromine contained within the chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, hyperactivity, increased heart rate and even seizures.

Cannabis

This type of poisoning is becoming more common. Signs include disorientation, dilated pupils, agitation, and vomiting. Your veterinary surgeon will only ever want the best thing for your pet, so please tell them if you suspect this might be the cause of your pet’s illness.

Rat poison

This can be via eating a rat that has been poisoned or consuming the poison directly. It can cause a potentially fatal haemorrhage as well as prevent the body from being able to clot properly.

Adder bites

The European Adder is the only venomous snake native to the UK, commonly found on dry heaths, sand dunes, rocky hillsides and woodland edges. If bitten, your dog can develop bruising, vomiting, diarrhoea and an inability to clot its blood. In severe cases, it can also lead to seizures, tissue death, and kidney failure.

What can you do to help?

This is not an exhaustive list, and we would strongly encourage you to contact your veterinarian for advice as soon as possible if you suspect your pet has ingested anything potentially poisonous. It is always beneficial for your vet if you can get as much information about the ingested item as possible.

• The name of what’s been eaten
• The packaging (where possible)
• The amount ingested
• When it was eaten.

Your veterinarian will have access to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service, allowing them to call to discuss what was ingested and when. The service holds a national database about which medicines or antidotes to use. This information can help your vet decide the best way to treat your pet.

In Summary:

• Be mindful of where your dog is if you are out on a walk and make sure that you can easily recall if they are off lead;
• If they eat anything you are concerned about, please call your veterinarian immediately.